Opening up the academic landscape to different strands of society is gaining significance across Europa. Both in Austria and in Germany, universities and colleges are addressing social topics such as “public engagement”, the “third mission” and “responsible science”. The exchange meeting aims at deepening the exchange of experience between actors in this field. It is organised in cooperation with the university network “Bildung durch Verantwortung” (Education through Responsibility) of the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft and the European Forum Alpbach.